It is indeed strange that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh should make such an outrageous statement or unilaterally decide on the fate of historical structures constructed during the British Raj or by the British in Manipur which have achieved archaeological importance.
Of course, his idea is in line with the recent remodelling of Raj Path into Kartavya Path by the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi. Yes, we need to shed the colonial mindset or any cultural residue of the British colonial period in our life and society. But targeting structures or symbols of the colonial period is not normally done or should not be done in any effort to shed the colonial legacy, as they are very much a part of our history which we cannot roll-back.
What would the world say if one fine day the government decides to demolish Taj Mahal, an epitome of love and Mughal architecture which is one of the most important destinations of the tourism industry in India. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976 governs all archaeological sites and monuments in the states. There is still a controversy of tempering with archaeological sites in the construction of Pakhangba Temple and a Light and Sound infrastructure inside the sacred Kangla.
Being a site of political and religious importance, Kangla has grown into a formidable fortress city through the centuries. It is from this capital that the Ningthouja clan gradually wielded enough political and military power and grew up to be the most dominant clan in Manipur. The state government had engaged Prof. Nalini Thakur of School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi to prepare a Concept Development Plan (CDP) of 'Kangla Fort' after the Manmohan Singh government handed over the historic Kangla Fort to the Manipur state government on 20 November 2004.
According to convention, Professor Thakur had recommended restoration and renovation of the existing structures and that no new structures should be constructed. With the new structure of Pakhangba Temple besides the Light and Sound show structure, the declaration of Kangla as a World Heritage site has run into trouble.
Today, the general upkeep of Kangla is also almost absent as funds are minuscule. The British style house inside the Kangla known as Slim’s cottage which now houses the office of Superintendent of Archaeology once used to be the headquarters of General Slim during World War II who oversaw the resistance of Japanese forces and consequent onslaught by Allied forces. The Museum inside the Kangla was constructed by the British. There are several other small houses constructed by the British in the Kangla and they are part of our history.
The present Raj Bhavan located at Konthoujam Ingkhol and CM bungalow at Babupara was constructed by the British and it used to be the official residences of the Political Agent (Boro Saheb) and Assistant Political Agent (Soto Saheb) and it still stands strong today. The present ‘Chongabon’ in Palace Compound which is also the residence of Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba and the venerated Shri Shri Govindajee Temple was constructed under the supervision of a British officer.
It was customary for Govindajee to be alongside the Maharajah and after installing the infant Churachand on the throne of Manipur, the British constructed both Chongabon and the Temple. So, where shall we begin the process of dismantling structures constructed by the British? Govindajee Temple revered by Manipuri Vaishnavites living in Manipur and outside or Chongabon or the Raj Bhavan or CM bungalow? Pick one site, Gentleman.
